Arlee residents thankful for quick response
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Editor,
Evacuees of the Jocko Canyon have much for which to be grateful, foremost the amazing support of our community.
The Arlee Volunteer Fire Department who responded with alacrity and efficacy to save our homes is the best. Helicopters, planes and fire vehicles were quickly swarming the area. Water from buckets beneath choppers and bright orange flame retardant dropped so fast it was incredible to witness, but we hope not to again.
The rapid response from neighboring communities who jumped to our aid was overwhelming. We can never adequately express our deep gratitude to them. The local fire and law departments, hotshot crews and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes were amazingly well coordinated in responding to this incident.
Thanks to the Arlee website team who kept us informed. We’re also profoundly grateful for the escort to our home every day to check our sprinkler system, feed our pets and generally savor being home however briefly.
Mary Stranahan and the staff at Heart View Center who warmly offered shelter and treated us with gentle kindness will always have a special place in our hearts.
Lake County’s only mistake was doing such a wonderful job grading the road that they’ve utterly spoiled us. Seriously, thanks to the Lake County Commissioners, Transportation and Sheriff’s Departments for making our ride home delightful and for keeping our homes secure while we were evacuated.
On behalf of all the evacuees, we are genuinely appreciative to everyone involved who helped us. We can’t thank you enough.
Firestone Flats is traditionally used for fireworks, as a shooting range and party place. It’s time to change these traditions. Such reckless behavior is not worth the damage. This wasn’t necessarily malicious, but it was absolutely ignorant.
We’re so relieved to be able to echo Dorothy’s sentiment, “There’s no place like home!”
Ted and Wanda LaCroix
Arlee
